Post cosmetic surgery protector

ABSTRACT

A pain relief appliance which is ideally suitable for utilization in post cosmetic surgery or upper neck or head injury or surgery wherein the appliance permits easing of pain because of the support given to the lower neck beneath the skull of the wearer thereof and in the case of the cosmetic surgery patient, a means of protecting the sensitive incision areas in front of, below and behind the ears of the cosmetic surgery patient. The appliance is fabricated of a soft, conformable, foam rubber and is easily adjusted to accommodate heads of various sizes and yet because of its configuration and material construction, allows support of the wearer&#39;&#39;s head in a comfortable manner inhibiting sensations of pain and allowing the wearer some measure of comfort especially when in the supine position.

[111 3,804,087 [4 1 Apr. 16, 1974 United States Patent [191 Sarnoff [57]ABSTRACT Apain relief appliance which is ideally suitable for uti- POSTCOSMETIC SURGERY PROTECTOR Inventor: Caron Sarnoff, 3206 Corinth, Los

, Angeles,- Calif. 90066 July 24, 1972 Appl. No.: 274,411

lization inpost cosmetic surgery or upperneck or head injury or surgerywherein the appliance permits [22] Filed:

easing of pain because of the support given to the lower neck beneaththe skull'of the wearer thereof and in the case of the cosmetic surgerypatient, a means of protecting the sensitive incision .areas in front 0f, below and behind the ears of the cosmetic ated of a soft,

s head in aco mforfible 1521;1- ner inhibiting sensations of pain andallowing the surgery patientThe appliance is fabric 6 conformable,foam'rubber and is easily adjusted to ac- 7 com'rnodate heads of varioussizes and yet because of ts Confi 22 209 and mat r al se m all w supportof the wearer 32 6 1 WB u m M ,m u 4 New 8 n ,2 n 3 m 6 a H NW C an S"H" e c "u n u; ,e ,u ."m a mm d m m R a e n S .L .f C s .w UhF 1]] 2 86 555 5 [[rl rl UNITED STATES PATENTS wearer some measure of comfortespecially when in the supine position. I

R20.276 Knauth 3,709.225 Sobel 2.728.339 Elmhirst.

Preston Primary ExaminerLucie H. Laud'ensla'ger 20 Claims, 7 DrawingFigures Attorney, Agent, or FirmMahoney, Schick '&-Cislo O O O O O O O OO PATENTEDAPR 16 1974 00000000000000 joooooooo /OOOOOOOO Maooooooooooooo POST COSMETIC SURGERY PROTECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention pertains to what may be considered a' head protector or necksupportive device and more specifically, to a pain relief appliancewhich is espepliance which is especially adaptable for useby those whohave had rhytidectomy r melo'plasty. This, of course, is the well knowncosmetic surgery or facelift which is becoming more and more prevalentin todays youth oriented society.

Generally speaking, the invention has applicability to any instancewherein it 'is desired to have a neck or head support and thus may beutilized whenever and wherever a pillow support or the like may berequired for one reason or another, but more specifically, the applianceis intended for and will be described as a It is still another morespecific object of the invention to provide a post cosmetic surgerydevice which is especially suitable for the relief of pain caused byincisions in the ear area.

It is still another more specific and important object of the inventionto provide apain'relief appliance which is especially useful orutilization during supine position of the wearer as for example duringsleep, and the like. A

It is another still more important and s'pecificobject of the inventionto provide a pain relief appliance which is adapted to encircle the'headof the wearer post-cosmetic surgery device it being understood thatother myriad of uses will present themselves for which the appliancewill have suitable applicability.

. In the case of cosmetic surgery, the patient has an incision line madewhich extends from above the ear within the hairline down and along thecrease just in front of the ear and around and behind the ear lobe andbehind the ear and then directly backward into the hair. Of course, thisis only one aspect of cosmeticsurgery but the invention will beexplained as it relates thereto and is not to be taken as delimiting ofthe applicability of the inventive appliance.

When this type of surgery is engaged in, because of the sensitivity ofthe facial tissue, and because it normally takes from 2 to 6 weeks forrecovery from the swelling, discoloration and other affects of thesurgery, the patient can normally encounter extreme sensitivity in theside of the face adjacent the ear areas. Because of the extremediscomfort, the patient is usually unable. to spend restful nightsbecause during the sleeping process, the ear or ear areas are eventuallybrushed thereby causing extreme pain and many sleepless nights. Thus, inorder to protect this sensitive area and to allow the patient a certaindegree of freedom of selection in sleeping positions and to protect theincision area, an appliance has been developed which protects thesensitive area and allows the wearer of the device almost total freedomwhen sleeping, sitting or otherwise engaging in post operativeactivities during the healing process.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention toprovide a pain relief 1 appliance.

It is another object of the invention to provide a pain relief appliancewhich encompasses a major portion of the head of the wearer thereof in asoft, conformable thereof in a soft, conformable and protective manner.

-It is another more important specific object of the invention toprovide a pain relief appliance which is so configured and contoured soas to accommodate the head of a wearer in a protective manner leavingthe face uncovered as well as a portion of the head of the wearer..

It is another still more important and more specific object of theinvention to provide a pain relief appliance which is selectively,adjustably and removably positioned onto the head of a wearer.

It is another more specific object of the invention to provide an easilypositioned pain relief appliance which is adaptable to accommodatevarious sizes of heads and to encasethem in a protective manner.

It is another and even more specific further object of the invention toprovide a pain relief appliance which acts as a head and neck support toinhibit pain due to surgery or other malady.

Generally, the invention pertains to a pain relief appliance comprisingthe combination of a first lateral portion joined through anintermediate portion to a second lateral portion, said first and secondlateral portions being adapted to be selectively, adjustably andremovably positioned about the head of a wearer. The upper extremitiesof said first and second lateral portions are adapted to extend over andadjacent the crown of the head of the wearer and the lower extremitiesare adapted for selective adjustable and removable juxtapositioning inproximity to the chin of said wearer. The portions are configured toencompass in a soft, flexible and conformable manner, the head of thewearer to expose at least the face thereof.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent fromreference to the hereinafter drawing and commentary taken in conjunctiontherewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of thepainrelief appliance 1 illustrating how it is fitted onto the head of awearer;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the appliance shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,with the outer covering removed to better illustrate the features ofconstruction thereof;

FIG. 4 is a view in'partial cross-section taken along the line 44 ofFIG. 3; 4

FIG. 5 is a view in partial cross-section taken along the line'S-S ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the .appliance with theouter .coverandsecurement means .po-

sitioned thereon; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmented view of another type of material of constructionthat may be utilized for the appliance of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED Referring to thefigures of drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate likeelements throughout, it will be seen that the appliance 2 is intendedfor positioning upon the head of a wearer shown'in phantom line in FIGS.1 i and 2 so as to form a soft, flexible and conformable encasementthereabout. It will be noted that the appliance 2 allows for practicallyfull exposure of the face of the wearer and for a portion of the back ofthe head thereof, yet still provides adequate protective functions forthe base portion of the skull, the neck portion and side face portionsof the wearer.

The appliance 2 comprises a first lateral portion 4 shown here joinedthrough an intermediate portion 6 to a second lateral portion 8. It willbe noted that the first and second lateral portions 4 and 8respectively, have a configuration with the extremities thereofterminating in an upper extremity 10 and a lower extremity 12 for thefirst lateral portion 4 and similarly, an upper extremity portion 14 anda lower extremity portion 16 for the second lateral portion 8.

It will be noted that each of the lateral portions 4 and 8 aresymmetrical and have an extending spanning portion between theextremities l0 and 12 and 14 and 16 of lateral portions 4 and 8respectively. The inside opposed portions 18 and 20 of lateral portions4 and 8 are of lesser dimension and somewhat shaded with respect to theremaining portion thereof so as to better cooperate in overlapping,received relationship as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Thus, so that the lateral portions 4 and 8 may be positioned through theupper extremities .10 and 14, adjacent the crown of the head of thewearer, the length of the span between the opposed extremities is suchthat the majority of the lateral or sides of the face of the wearer areencompassed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The lower extremity portions 12 and 14 terminate in the tab-likeportions 22 and 24 respectively, which tab portions are adapted toencircle the chin of the wearer in juxtaposed proximity, again asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

To accommodate the general contour of the and neck portion of thewearer, the intermediate portion 6 is somewhat inners et as at 26 withrespect to the edge 28 and 30 of the lower extremities l2 and 16respectively. It will also be noted that in this instance, theintermediate portion is integrally formed with respectto the lateralportions 4 and 8. Obviously,-such need not be the case, and in someinstances it will be preferred to fabricate the individual portions fromseparate pieces of material joined by proper means as will be obvious tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

Intermediate portion 6 is also provided with a concave section, such as32, which sectionis adapted to better accommodate the lower skull of thehead of the wearer, whereas the innerset'portion 26 is adapted to moreclosely configure the nape or lower portion of the neck of the wearer. Y

Inthis particularinstance, and in the preferred form,

the material of construction is approximately 1% inch.

thick foam rubber PINCOR, a proprietary product .4 manufactured by theFirestone Rubber Company. It is a molded, elastomeric type of materialwhich is soft, pliable, flexible and conformable to provide a protectiveencasement for the wearer of the appliance, The

.PINCOR material is provided with disconnected, an-

nular holes, such as 34,.which makes the material somewhat non-rigid andthus especially suitable for the as cutouts in the first lateral portion4 and the second lateral portion 8 requires a stiffening material toprevent collapsing of the holes 38 and '40 upon themselves. The meanstaken to prevent the collapse of adjacent material into the ear areaholes orrecesses 38 and 40 is by means of a somewhat more rigid screenmember 42 and 44 placed on the exterior surface 46 and 48 of lateralportions 4 and 8 respectively. In this instance, the screen or covermembers 42 and 44 takethe form of a synthetic webbing as is used inneedlepoint tapestry. It needonly be sufficiently rigid so as to preventcollapse of the material in the area of ear openings 38 and 40, andshould be sufficie'ntly'of open grid construction to allow passage ofair therethrough for c'omfortof the wearer. Other means to alsocontemplated. I

The exterior edges of lateral portions 4 and 8 may be slightly shaved orshaded in order to present a more comfortable line of abutment withrespect to the face of the wearer. To accommodate this comfort and toachieve an appliance which will have useful life, a covering such as 50in the preferred form of a Banlon type which is of two-way stretchmaterial commonly referred to as of soft fine hand quality, and which issewn in a zig-zag, small stitch with the exterior lining being slightlysmaller at the areas 52 and 54 of the first and second lateral portionsso that the tab ends 22 and 24 assume a natural, curvilinear postureprior to positioning of the appliance on the head of a wearer, isprovided. v

In this particular specific instance, the means of providing selective,adjustable and removable positioning of the appliance 2 on the head of awearer is by means of Velcro tape strips with, of course, other meansbeing desirable and sometimes useful in practicing the invention.However, in this'instance, a pair of Velcro tapes 56 and 58, and morespecifically the male portions thereof having the extending loop-likegrasping surface is provided in the upper extremity 14 of lateralportion 8, and are secured to the outer lining 50 by means of threadsecurement. To the upper extremity 10 is fastened in aligned manner thefemale portion of the Velcro fastening assembly 60 and 62. At the lowertab p'ortion area 22 is positioned the male member64 of a Velcroassembly, whereas on the inside lateral edge of tab portion 24, with thefemale portion adapted to come in proximity'to the chin of-the wearer,is;positioned a Velcrostrip66. Y I v I Thus, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2,to put the appliance in place the appliance 2 is positioned over thehead and the extending portions 10 and 14 arebrought into overlappingrelationship, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, andsecured thereto by thecooperation of the Velcro provide support are strip cooperation, as iswell-known, and thereafter the lower tab portions 22 and 24 arepositioned around the chin of the wearer and securely fastened by Velcrocooperating strip 64 and 66, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Once the appliance is in place, it will be notedthat the wearer thereofhas the base of the skull and the neck protected and in the specificillustration shown, the sensitive incision area in the ear area of theface,- which because of the softness of the Banlon" outer covering orlining, permits the ear area to be received within the ear recesses 38and 40 to thereby encase the head of a wearer in a soft, conformable andflexible.

manner to prevent andinhibit pain upon movement'of the head of' thewearer when in the supine or sleeping position. 1

vWhile a specific embodiment ofj'the invention has been described andillustrated, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artthat other variations and modifications are capable of being madebut alladapted to be selectively, adjustably and removably pojsitioned aboutthe head of a wearer, the upper extremities of said first and secondlateral'portions extending about parallel to each other andbeing adaptedto exspect to the lower edges of said lower extremities of said firstand second lateral portions.

9. The appliance in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first andsecond lateral portions are of a sufficient dimensionto span saidhe'adfrom at least theeararea thereof to and including the lower backportion of said head.

10. The appliance accordance with claim 9 wherein said first and secondlateral portions are provided with ear area recesses. I

11. The appliance in accordance with claim 10 wherein said ear arearecesses are large enough to accommodate projectionthereinto-of the earsof said wearer.

tend over and adjacent the crown of said head in overlappingrelationship and the lower extremities of said first and second lateralportions being adapted for se lective, adjustable and removablejuxtapositioning in proximity to the chin of said wearer in overlappingrelationship, said portions being resilient and conformable and beingconfigured to encompass in a softfflexible and conformable manner thehead of said wearer to ex pose at least the face thereof, said portionsbeing suff ciently thick in crosssection'to define a cushion-likeexterior surface.

. 2. The appliance in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first andsecond lateral portions are contoured to expose the frontal face area ofthe wearer thereof.

3. The appliance in accordance with claim 2 wherein 'thelowe'rextremities'of said first' and second lateral portions have tab-likeextending end portions thereon.

4. The appliance in accordance with claim 3 'wherein said intermediateportion is a web of materialadapted to be juxtapositioned adjacent theneck of said wearer;

5. The appliance in accordance with claim 4 wherein said intermediateweb portion is contoured at opposed:

upper and lower edges thereof.

6. The appliance in accordance with claims wherein the upper edge ofsaid intermediate web portion is concave to accommodate the base of theskull of said wearer. p

7. The appliance in the lower edge of said intermediate web portion isslightly shaded to accommodate the nape of the neck of said wearer.

8. The appliance in accordance with claim 7 wherein the lower edge ofsaid web portion is innerset with re- 12. The appliance in accordancewith claim 11 wherein said intermediate web is integrally joined to saidfirst and second lateral portions.

' 13. The appliance in accordance with claim 11 wherein the upperextremities of said first and second lateral portions overlap each otherin the crown area of the head of said wearer. v

14. The appliance in accordance with claim 13 wherein the lowerextremities of's'aicl first and second wherein the material constructionof said portions comprises a foam rubber having spaced holes.

16 The appliance in accordance with claim 15 wherein said holes extendfrom one opposed surface to the other;

17. The appliance in accordance with claim l 6 in-. eluding means forsecuring said appliance in position on the head of said wearer. v t k18. The appliance in accordance withclaim 17 wherein said means forsecuring said appliance comprise cooperating Velcro bands of material.

19. A pain relief appliance comprising the combination ofz-a firstlateral portion integrally joined through an intermediate portion to asecond lateral portion, said first and second lateral portions havingear recess areas large enough to accommodate projection thereinto of theears of a wearer and being of sufficient dirnension to span the head ofsaid wearer from at least theear area thereof to and including ,thelower back portion of said head, said intermediate portion being a webof material contoured at the upper and lower edges thereof and adaptedto be juxtapositionedadjacent the neck of said wearer, the upper edge ofsaid in-,

termediate web portion being concave to accommodate the base of theskull of said wearer and the lower accordance with claim 6 wherein edgeof said intermediate web being inner set with respect to the lower edgesof the lower extremities of said first and-second lateral portions andbeing slightly shaded'to accommodate the nape of the neck of saidwearer, said first and second lateral portions havingupper and lowerextremities and being" adapted to selectively, adjustably and removablyposition aboutthe head of said wearer, such first and second lateral pm.tions being contoured to expose the frontalfa'ce area of said wearer,the upper extremities of said first and second lateral portions beingadapted to extend over and adjacent the crown of said head inoverlapping relationship and the lower extremities of said first andsecond lateral portions being adapted for selective, adjus'table andremovable juxtapositioning in overlapping 'relationship under the chinof said wearer, said lower ex? lateral portions overlap under said chinof said wearer.

15. The appliance in accordance with claim 14 from one opposed surfaceto the other, means fors'ecuring said appliance in position'on said headof said wearer and comprising cooperating Velcro bands of 8 material,and an open flexible screen member positioned on the outside surface ofsaid ear recess areas to prevent collapse of the wall of materialadjacent thereto.

20. The appliance in accordance with claim 19 includin gva clothcovering of asthetic appearance and havinga configuration toimpart anatural curvingten-v dency to said tablike extending end portions

1. A pain relief appliance comprising the combination of: a firstlateral portion joined through an intermediate portion to a secondlateral portion, said first and second lateral portions having upper andlower extremities, said first and second lateral portions being adaptedto be selectively, adjustably and removably positioned about the head ofa wearer, the upper extremities of said first and second lateralportions extendiNg about parallel to each other and being adapted toextend over and adjacent the crown of said head in overlappingrelationship and the lower extremities of said first and second lateralportions being adapted for selective, adjustable and removablejuxtapositioning in proximity to the chin of said wearer in overlappingrelationship, said portions being resilient and conformable and beingconfigured to encompass in a soft, flexible and conformable manner thehead of said wearer to expose at least the face thereof, said portionsbeing sufficiently thick in cross-section to define a cushion-likeexterior surface.
 2. The appliance in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid first and second lateral portions are contoured to expose thefrontal face area of the wearer thereof.
 3. The appliance in accordancewith claim 2 wherein the lower extremities of said first and secondlateral portions have tab-like extending end portions thereon.
 4. Theappliance in accordance with claim 3 wherein said intermediate portionis a web of material adapted to be juxtapositioned adjacent the neck ofsaid wearer.
 5. The appliance in accordance with claim 4 wherein saidintermediate web portion is contoured at opposed upper and lower edgesthereof.
 6. The appliance in accordance with claim 5 wherein the upperedge of said intermediate web portion is concave to accommodate the baseof the skull of said wearer.
 7. The appliance in accordance with claim 6wherein the lower edge of said intermediate web portion is slightlyshaded to accommodate the nape of the neck of said wearer.
 8. Theappliance in accordance with claim 7 wherein the lower edge of said webportion is innerset with respect to the lower edges of said lowerextremities of said first and second lateral portions.
 9. The appliancein accordance with claim 8 wherein said first and second lateralportions are of a sufficient dimension to span said head from at leastthe ear area thereof to and including the lower back portion of saidhead.
 10. The appliance in accordance with claim 9 wherein said firstand second lateral portions are provided with ear area recesses.
 11. Theappliance in accordance with claim 10 wherein said ear area recesses arelarge enough to accommodate projection thereinto of the ears of saidwearer.
 12. The appliance in accordance with claim 11 wherein saidintermediate web is integrally joined to said first and second lateralportions.
 13. The appliance in accordance with claim 11 wherein theupper extremities of said first and second lateral portions overlap eachother in the crown area of the head of said wearer.
 14. The appliance inaccordance with claim 13 wherein the lower extremities of said first andsecond lateral portions overlap under said chin of said wearer.
 15. Theappliance in accordance with claim 14 wherein the material constructionof said portions comprises a foam rubber having spaced holes.
 16. Theappliance in accordance with claim 15 wherein said holes extend from oneopposed surface to the other.
 17. The appliance in accordance with claim16 including means for securing said appliance in position on the headof said wearer.
 18. The appliance in accordance with claim 17 whereinsaid means for securing said appliance comprise cooperating Velcro bandsof material.
 19. A pain relief appliance comprising the combination of:a first lateral portion integrally joined through an intermediateportion to a second lateral portion, said first and second lateralportions having ear recess areas large enough to accommodate projectionthereinto of the ears of a wearer and being of sufficient dimension tospan the head of said wearer from at least the ear area thereof to andincluding the lower back portion of said head, said intermediate portionbeing a web of material contoured at the upper and lower edges thereofand adapted to be juxtapositioned adjacent the neck of said wearer, theupper edge of said intermediate web portion being concave to Accommodatethe base of the skull of said wearer and the lower edge of saidintermediate web being inner set with respect to the lower edges of thelower extremities of said first and second lateral portions and beingslightly shaded to accommodate the nape of the neck of said wearer, saidfirst and second lateral portions having upper and lower extremities andbeing adapted to selectively, adjustably and removably position aboutthe head of said wearer, such first and second lateral portions beingcontoured to expose the frontal face area of said wearer, the upperextremities of said first and second lateral portions being adapted toextend over and adjacent the crown of said head in overlappingrelationship and the lower extremities of said first and second lateralportions being adapted for selective, adjustable and removablejuxtapositioning in overlapping relationship under the chin of saidwearer, said lower extremities having tab-like extending end portionsthereon, said first lateral portion, intermediate portion and secondlateral portion being configured to encompass in a soft, flexible andconformable manner the head of said wearer to expose at least the facethereof, the material of construction of said portions comprising foamrubber having spaced holes, said holes extending from one opposedsurface to the other, means for securing said appliance in position onsaid head of said wearer and comprising cooperating Velcro bands ofmaterial, and an open flexible screen member positioned on the outsidesurface of said ear recess areas to prevent collapse of the wall ofmaterial adjacent thereto.
 20. The appliance in accordance with claim 19including a cloth covering of asthetic appearance and having aconfiguration to impart a natural curving tendency to said tab-likeextending end portions.